There are many types of HPV. Some
types cause
warts that you can see or feel. Other types do not
cause any symptoms. Most people do not know they have an HPV infection.

This test will show whether a high-risk type of HPV is present. In
women, high-risk types of HPV (such as types 16, 18, 31, and 45) cause changes
in the cells of the
cervix that can be seen as abnormal changes on a Pap
test. Abnormal cervical cell changes may resolve on their own without
treatment. But some untreated cervical cell changes can progress to serious
abnormalities and may lead to
cervical cancer over time if they are not treated.

To learn more about treatment of abnormal cervical cell changes
seen on a Pap test, see the topic
Abnormal Pap Test.

Although HPV is found
in both men and women, this test is not used on men. The HPV test is used to detect only high-risk types of HPV. Your doctor may diagnose genital warts that are seen during a physical exam. This test is
not used to diagnose genital warts caused by low-risk types of HPV.

Why It Is Done

An HPV test is done to:

Check for high-risk types of human
papillomavirus (HPV) in women who had a Pap test that showed abnormal cervical
cells called
atypical squamous cells (ASC). An HPV test can help
look for one or more high-risk types of HPV. If an HPV test shows that
high-risk types of HPV are present, further testing, such as a
colposcopy or
cervical biopsy, may be recommended.

Check
for HPV in women older than age 30 as part of screening for abnormal cervical
cells.

Help check for abnormal cervical cells after treatment of
a high-risk HPV infection.

A Pap test or an HPV test can be used to screen for cervical cancer. An HPV test may be done at the same time as a Pap test or by itself.
The results of an HPV test can help doctors decide if further tests or treatments
are needed. To learn more, see the topic
Pap Test.

How To Prepare

Before an HPV test, do not douche, use
tampons, or use vaginal medicines for at least 48 hours.

You will
be asked to empty your bladder just before the test, both for your own comfort
and to help with the exam.

Talk to your doctor about any
concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be
done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of
this test, fill out the
medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

How It Is Done

For this test, you need to remove your clothes below the
waist and drape a paper or cloth covering around your waist. You will then lie
on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by
stirrups. This allows your doctor to examine your vagina and genital
area.

Your health professional will insert an instrument called a
speculum into your vagina. The
speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls,
allowing the inside of the vagina and the cervix to be examined.

Your health professional will then use a cotton swab or a small brush to
collect several samples of cells from the cervix. Cells are collected from the
visible part of the cervix as well as cells from inside the opening of the
cervix (endocervical canal). The samples are then placed in collection tubes
and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

An HPV test can also be
done on a cell sample taken during your Pap test if a technique called a
liquid-based Pap test was used. For a liquid-based Pap test, cells are
collected by rotating a plastic brush on the cervix. The samples are then
placed in a jar of solution and sent to a lab for examination. If you have this
type of Pap test and it shows abnormal cells, an HPV test may be done later on
the same sample.

How It Feels

You may feel some discomfort when the
speculum is inserted, especially if your vagina is irritated and tender or if
it is narrow. You may also feel pulling or pressure when the sample of cervical
cells is being collected.

Risks

There is very little chance of a problem from an
HPV test. You may worry or feel frightened if you need more testing.

After the procedure

You may have a small amount of vaginal
bleeding or gray-green discharge after this test, and you may want to use a
panty liner to protect your clothes from any spotting.

Do not have
sex until your doctor tells you it is safe to do so.

Results

A
human papillomavirus (HPV) test is done to check for a high-risk HPV infection in women. HPV test results are generally available in 1 to 2
weeks.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Normal:

High-risk HPV is not found.

Abnormal:

High-risk HPV is found. If high-risk HPV is
found, you may have a higher chance of having precancerous cervical cell
changes. Further testing-including repeat Pap or HPV tests,
colposcopy, or
cervical biopsy-may be recommended by your doctor,
depending on your medical history and the results of this test.

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to
have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

The use of douches, tampons, and vaginal creams
or vaginal medicines within 48 hours before the test.

A cervical
cell sample that is too small.

Your Pap test shows abnormal cells
that are already known to be caused by a high-risk type of HPV.

What To Think About

A human papillomavirus (HPV) test is not
routinely used to diagnose genital warts. It is usually done to find out
whether an abnormal Pap test result may be caused by one or more high-risk
types of HPV. To learn more, see the topic
Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus).

An
HPV test may be done along with a Pap test in women age 30 and older. It may be
done as a follow-up test after treatment for an abnormal Pap test. To learn more, see the topic
Abnormal Pap Test.

A positive HPV test
does not mean that you have cervical cancer. It may mean that you are infected
with one or more high-risk types of HPV, which increases your chance of having
precancerous cervical cell changes. Your doctor may recommend repeat testing or
further testing, such as a colposcopy and cervical biopsy, to find out whether
precancerous changes are present. The type of testing recommended will depend
on your medical history and the findings of the HPV test. To learn more,
see the topic
Colposcopy and Cervical Biopsy.

An HPV
test is highly reliable for finding high-risk types of HPV. But an HPV test may
come back positive when you do not have an HPV infection. This is called a
false-positive test result.

An HPV test
is done only for women. Currently, an HPV test for men is done only in a
research setting.

If you are age 26 or younger, you can get the series of HPV shots. The vaccines Cervarix(What is a PDF document?) and Gardasil(What is a PDF document?) protect against two types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. Gardasil also protects against two types of HPV that cause genital warts. To learn more,
see the topic
Immunizations.

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